Como hold Inter to scoreless draw in Coppa Italia

Como and Inter played out a 0-0 draw in their Coppa Italia semi-final first leg clash on ​Tuesday, where the hosts wasted a gilt-edged chance to ‌take a lead into the return game while the visitors failed to register a single shot on target.

Como's Nico Paz forced Inter goalkeeper Josep ​Martinez into a save and Mergim Vojvoda sent a shot ​wide from a decent position in the area in ⁠a first half where the home side controlled the tempo ​and created the best chances.

Alex Valle should have put Como ​in front just after the break but the defender was left kicking the post in frustration after somehow sending his effort wide when Ivan Smolcic's ​cross found him unmarked in the six-yard box.

Inter made a ​triple-substitution before the hour mark, with Marcus Thuram, Piotr Zielinski and Denzel Dumfries ‌entering ⁠the fray but the changes did little to improve their attacking threat.

Como's only previous semi-final appearance came 40 years ago, with the 1986 team managed by Rino Marchesi who died on Sunday, ​and the game ​against Inter ⁠was preceded by a minute's silence in his honour.

After a trophyless campaign last season, and the ​disappointment of an early Champions League exit this ​time around, ⁠Inter are still on course for a domestic double.

Cristian Chivu's side are 10 points clear at the top of Serie A and ⁠will ​fancy their chances in the second ​leg at the San Siro on April 22. The winners will face either Atalanta ​or Lazio in May's decider.